The quiet St. Bernard community saw two murders in the last week. The dozens of people gathered Tuesday formed a prayer circle just blocks away from where the shootings occurred.

"That surprised the whole neighborhood," said Rev. Kevin Gabriel, who organized the gathering.

"This is the first time that I know of that we had two murders back to back like that," Gabriel said.

Last Tuesday, a 19-year-old man was shot and killed nearby. Friday, a 30-year-old man was shot while riding his bike in the same area.

Organizers hope the neighborhood gathering will go a long way in stopping more violence before it starts.

"The things that are going on in the world, we don't want it down here," Gabriel said.

"This is what it's all about. Bringing the police and the community together. Share ideas. They tell us the problems, we try to find solutions," said Capt. Charles Borchers of the St. Tammany Sheriff's Office.

The slayings last week were the third and fourth this year in St. Bernard, a parish that rarely sees that type of violence. St. Bernard deputies investigated two murders in 2012 and one in 2011.

Before that, the parish saw a 2.5-year period with no lethal bloodshed.

"The violence just needs to stop. Too many people getting killed," said Mykael Gabriel. She lost a family member in the shootings.

St. Bernard deputies said the "night out" events are important because it gives officers a chance to meet and greet residents in their own environment.

"We want to come to their neighborhood," Borchers said. "We want to share unique problems every neighborhood is different."

Gabriel said he normally hosts "night out" in a different part of the parish. This year he wanted to bring it to Violet to make a difference in this community. He encourages residents who know something about the recent crime to speak out.

"If we see something, we need to tell the Sheriff's Department. Don't be scared to say something," Gabriel said.